Mol M A, Smith W J
TNO Prins Maurits Larboratory, Rijswijk, The Netherlands.
Chem Biol Interact. 1996 Mar 8;100(1):85-93. doi: 10.1016/s0009-2797(96)03692-7.
To investigate the role of increased cytoplasmic free calcium levels ([Ca]i) in sulphur mustard-induced cellular toxicity, the [Ca]i of human epidermal keratinocytes exposed to sulphur mustard concentrations between 50 and 800 microM were measured. No early increase in [Ca]i was observed during the first 20 min after application of the agent. Furthermore, at 3, 6 and 24 h after exposure to sulphur mustard, the [Ca]i of sulphur mustard-exposed cells differed only slightly from that of control cells. However, sulphur-mustard exposed cells responded with a weaker rise of [Ca]i upon stimulation with histamine and ATP than control cells. These results suggest that sulphur mustard can induce small increases in [Ca]i, which reflect abnormal cellular physiology rather than acute toxicity. In addition, it has been shown that sulphur mustard disturbs cellular Ca2+ signalling in human epidermal keratinocytes.
